COX NOT ALONE ON CHARGERS’ MISCUE LIST

Cornerback pulled early in Sunday’s game after failing to make a tackle

Derek Cox was the man TV cameras showed Sunday, the one getting lectured, the one being benched.

His performance on a play wasn’t pretty.

It also wasn’t alone.

The Chargers cornerback got pulled from Sunday’s game after failing to properly shed a block and make an open-field tackle during a long, first-quarter Broncos touchdown. But Cox had company. His miscue was neither the first nor last a Charger made on the play, something coach Mike McCoy addressed Monday following a 28-20 loss.

Tight end Julius Thomas turned a short pass into a 74-yard score.

Cox missed half of San Diego’s defensive snaps thereafter.

“I look myself in the mirror,” Cox said Monday. “I’ve got to make that play.”

McCoy was asked about the benching, a decision about which defensive backs coach Ron Milus initially informed Cox. Richard Marshall replaced him, a swift move after the Broncos’ third offensive play.

In the second quarter, Cox would re-enter when Shareece Wright injured his leg and re-exit when Wright returned. After some Marshall struggles versus wide receiver Eric Decker, Cox finished the game, not allowing a reception.

He is the most significant financial investment the Chargers made this year during a free agency period largely focused on the offense. The four-year deal signed in March is worth $19.8 million, including $5.2 million in signing bonus.

Cox’s benching was the second in as many weeks. Johnny Patrick replaced him in the third quarter against Washington.

Rotating in and out of the lineup is abnormal at the cornerback position. Such a thing can come with the territory at positions like running back, receiver, defensive line and linebacker. But a starting cornerback or safety typically plays every snap.

McCoy was asked if this cycle — a starter with a short leash, in one series but out after the first mistake, rotating back in, rotating back out — was a problem.

“We’re going to sit down with each individual player when we make a change or whatever we do and explain to him why we are going to do it,” McCoy said. “It’s their job to perform at a certain level. It’s not always fair. We told the players from the first day here: It’s not a fair business. You’re not always going to agree with what we do as a coaching staff or organization in all areas, but we are going to make the decision for what we think is the best to win games.

“You are not always going to be happy with it, but this is your job, and that’s what we are going to do.”

Multiple teammates took responsibility Monday for their own performance on the play.

At the snap, Thomas ran free on a short, diagonal route to the flat, and quarterback Peyton Manning quickly found him. The Chargers were in quarter coverage, so inside linebacker Manti Te’o was assigned to the flat with outside linebacker Larry English rushing Manning.

Te’o took himself out of the play with his pre-snap alignment, too far inside from Thomas.

“I’ve got to get my eyes in the right place and make sure that doesn’t happen,” Te’o said. Thomas was off and running.

Decker locked Cox in a downfield block Cox has to shed. Slowly, with Thomas fast approaching, he wheeled out of it, and his push wasn’t enough to knock Thomas out of play. Safety Eric Weddle was in pursuit. Assuming Cox would make the tackle, he slowed his run and got caught not giving support when Thomas passed.

Weddle, like Te’o and Cox, showed accountability.

“It’s very disappointing, especially for myself,” Weddle said. “I’m not too happy about it. Actually, I’m very upset. But I know it will never happen again.”